Coombs

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Coombs is well known for their Old Country Market which is open currently for the 2008 season. Store hours are from 9am to 7pm everyday. Restaurant hours from 9am to 6:30pm and garden center hours from 9am to 5:30pm. The market boasts local produce, ice cream and many different shops and gift stores to visit. The Market was made famous by the goats that live on top of the roof!

The population of Coombs, which lays between Parksville and Qualicum is about 2,000.

Butterfly World and the Emerald Forest Bird Garden are some other attractions. You can stroll amongst hundreds of exotic butterflies flying free in an indoor tropical rainforest. View the entire life cycle of the amazing butterflies. Amazing flowering plants and foliage, fascinating birds, waterfalls and streams all help out to make this a photographer's paradise and an entertaining experience for the entire family.

Also located in Coombs is the World Parrot Refuge, which provides a safe home for abandoned and previously owned pet parrots. This is an educational facility dedicated to the health and well being of parrots, and is open to the public to raise awareness of the growing problems of parrots in captivity. The refuge has created a more natural environment for the birds, with 23,000 square feet of indoor, heated, free-flight aviaries, and 16,000 square feet of easily accessed outdoor flights for the warmer months. The World Parrot Refuge is located at 2116 Alberni Highway.

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